Palate Press Wine of the Week – 2007 DeLille Cellars Harrison Hill

The Harrison Hill was the top of the heap for me in our DeLille tasting (with the Doyenne and Chaleur Blanc close behind). Big and dark and tannic and complex, with a finish that lasted well into each next taste. A bit pricey at $75 a bottle, but this one I think is worth it. Read more on RJ’s Wine Blog.

2007 DeLille Cellars Chaleur Estate – Red Mountain, WA

Like the 2007 Harrison Hill, the tannins are huge on this wine. Black fruit, herb, and vanilla notes, it’s definitely a mouthful, but still incredibly well balanced. The finish on this thing goes on forever. I would suggest decanting for 1-2 hours before drinking. Read more on RJ’s Wine Blog.

2007 DeLille Cellars Harrison Hill – Yakima Valley, WA

The Harrison Hill was the top of the heap for me in our DeLille tasting (with the Doyenne and Chaleur Blanc close behind). Big and dark and tannic and complex, with a finish that lasted well into each next taste. A bit pricey at $75 a bottle, but this one I think is worth it. Read more on RJ’s Wine Blog.

2007 Rollingdale La Droite – Okanagan Valley, BC

This wine is a red-wine blend made up of 94% Merlot, with the balance comprised of Cabernet sauvignon (3.8%), Malbec (2%), and Cabernet franc (0.2%). As soon as I brought this wine to my nose, I started enjoying it: aromas of red fruit, wet stones and spice. On the palate I found juicy berries, ripe cherries, plums and spice. The wine filled my mouth with a roundness that wasn’t the least bit “mushy”—the acidity made the wine bright and the gentle tannins gave it structure. And boy did it go well with the chicken pot pie. Just one caution: drink it when you pour it. To read more about this wine, visit Kathleen’s blog post on Between the Vines.

Palate Press Wine of the Week – 2007 Rocca Family Vineyards Bad Boy Red

2007 Rocca Family Vineyards Bad Boy Red – Napa Valley, California Having met the “bad boy” himself, I think he epitomizes this wine: nicely expressed flavors of Napa, becoming even more attractive as the evening progresses. In the wine: fruit, a viney spiciness, even a hint of cocoa, and mild tannins that meld together and [...]

2007 Rocca Family Vineyards Bad Boy Red – Napa Valley, California

Having met the “bad boy” himself, I think he epitomizes this wine: nicely expressed flavors of Napa, becoming even more attractive as the evening progresses. In the wine: fruit, a viney spiciness, even a hint of cocoa, and mild tannins that meld together and pair with a surprising number of different foods.

2003 Château Cambon La Pelouse – Haut-Médoc, France

Like several for the moderately-priced bottles of ’03 Bordeaux I have opened recently, this is coming to life, perhaps even peaking now. A year ago it was dead, but now it is showing a pleasant balance of fruit, blackberry and some raspberry, and more aged flavors of violets and cigar box. Tannins are soft and smooth. This has matured into a very pleasant bottle of wine at a bargain price, drinking at its peak right now. Highly recommended as a bargain introduction to a great year for Bordeaux.

NV Domaine des Baumard Carte Turquoise Crémant de Loire

Clear, pale to medium-light yellow color. Clean, grassy, herbal aromatics up front. Green pepper—definitely indicative of the Cabernet Franc. Dry, medium acidity, medium body, and medium-light mousse. More green pepper and vegetal flavors balanced with some grapefruit/citrus and creamy, yeasty textures. Read more wine reviews on my blog, oe•no•phile.

1996 Château Léoville-Poyferré Saint-Julien, Médoc

The nose has a characteristic cigar/tobacco aroma, suggesting the wine is at or near maturity. The palate is smooth and supple and just about ready. A delicious wine and one that reinforces the excellent reputation of the 1996 Bordeaux vintage. Drink now to 2015. Blending proportions are unknown. More wine writing by Stuart can be found on his blog, Worcester Sauce.

2001 Château Léoville-Poyferré Saint-Julien, Médoc

A bit closed on the nose though showing some cigar. Not quite ready on the palate, with some tannin to lose, though these are good and have a nice texture. This vintage of Léoville-Poyferré finishes a bit short for an $80 bottle of wine. Drink 2012–18. Blending proportions are unknown. More wine writing by Stuart can be found on his blog, Worcester Sauce.

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